Jeremy Gilbert of Syracuse University to chair conference on materials for medical devices A call for papers has been issued for the 2009 Conference on Materials and Processes for Medical Devices (MPMD), organized by ASM International, The Materials Information Society, held Aug. 10-12 in Minneapolis. Held every 24 months, the MPMD event focuses on new advances and innovations in the science, technology and application of medical device materials and manufacturing. MPMD participants include experts from academia, industry, and national laboratories involved in cardiac, vascular, neurological and GI implants, orthopaedic implants, dental devices and surgical instrumentation and devices. Technical coverage includes biomedical alloys (including stainless steels, Ti alloys, Co-Cr alloys, Ni-Ti alloys, noble and refractory metals), biopolymers, bioceramics, surface coatings, and nanomaterials. Participants are encouraged to submit a 300-word abstract by Feb. 16 via the MPMD Web site. Topic areas include: Advanced Materials and Emerging Technologies Fabrication Processes for Medical Devices Fatigue Life and Durability of Medical Implants Effect of Materials on Surgical Techniques Surface Engineering of Medical Devices Corrosion Biostability and Biocompatibility of Medical Implants Imaging Compatibility and Visibility of Medical Devices related to X-ray, MRI and Ultrasound Materials R Materials Modeling Active Implant Materials Bioactive/Biomimetic Surfaces and Drug Delivery Systems Nanotechnology Regulatory Affairs Related to Materials